The 5 Best Portable EKG & ECG Monitors – [2020 Reviews]

A portable ECG monitor is fast and simple to use and can make a big difference in how well you and your doctor can monitor your heart health and best treat and prevent any possible issues.

Check out our top 5 picks for the best home ECG monitor below. Also consider reading our simple guide on How to Choose the Best EKG Monitor as well to help make sure you make the best possible choice for your needs.

Our top pick for the best home ECG monitor is actually an ECG monitor and blood pressure monitor all in one! This incredible device provides you maximum benefit and allows you to track your blood pressure and EKG readings all at once.

It is simple to use, provides accurate results, and even comes with the best ECG app for your phone! Bluetooth connectivity allows the monitor to wirelessly connect to your phone and transfer and store information from your readings.

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The app will store unlimited amounts of data from your home monitoring. You simply turn on your monitor, open the app, put your phone in the built-in smartphone cradle, and press start.

You test your blood pressure with the included adjustable D-ring cuff. The cuff fits arms with circumferences ranging from 9 inches to 17 inches.

This should fit most arms without any issues. You test your EKG by placing your thumbs on the electrodes on the top of the device while also placing two or more additional fingers on the electrodes located on the side of the device.

You have the option of testing both your blood pressure and your EKG simultaneously or doing either one separately. Being a portable ECG machine, this device does take 4 AA batteries. These do come with the device but will need to be replaced at some point.

This monitor only uses batteries, so you don’t have an AC adaptor option. Since all the data is automatically collected and stored in your Android or iPhone ECG app, it is super easy to review it and/or share it with your medical professionals.

This helps you all to best plan out your preventative care and recognize severe issues. The monitor comes along with a complete instruction manual, quick-start guide, and a storage case for your convenience.

Being both an EKG monitor and blood pressure monitor, it is obviously going to cost more. It comes in around twice the price of the average cost of the rest of our picks that are only for EKG monitoring.

Although, the value and quality make it well worth the higher price. This is especially true if you want to or need to monitor your blood pressure as well.

KardiaMobile is the most compact ECG portable device! It has an incredibly small footprint and is nearly paper-thin. It would easily fit into your pocket and even in most wallets!

You can take this little EKG monitor with you anywhere with ease! It is FDA-cleared to help ease your mind and provides you with medical-grade EKG readings that can detect atrial fibrillation, tachycardia, and bradycardia!

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The free smart app works with your KardiaMobile device to allow you to easily view and record your readings. It allows you to store all your readings right there in the app on your phone.

Just like with the Omron Complete, this lets you easily show your doctor the data! You can even e-mail the recordings to your doctor or anyone else you want to share them with.

You’ll take the EKG reading by placing your phone down with the KardiaMobile device on a flat surface in front of you. You press start in the mobile app and then place two fingers on each of the two electrodes.

Then you will see a 30-second countdown on your phone. Once it is up, you will see your ECG results. Not only will you see the visual image of the results, but the app will clearly inform you if the results are normal or if atrial fibrillation was detected.

Another cool KardiaMobile feature is that it will ask you how you are feeling at the time of each reading. You can even answer verbally with talk-to-text technology to instantly record any symptoms (dizziness, for example) alongside your reading.

This impressive little portable heart monitor is around half the price of the Omron Complete coming in just under the $100 mark. It definitely has a really great value to it!

Here is another good little portable EKG monitor! This particular option is great for anyone that doesn’t have a smartphone or doesn’t want to have to use their phone in order to record their EKG.

It is a handheld device, so it is nice and compact. Even so, the size is definitely a decent bit bigger than that of the KardiaMobile option. It will fit in most pockets with no issues but won’t fit into smaller spaces like wallets.

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Since you won’t be using a phone with this monitor, it actually has a built-in screen to allow you to watch the test and view the results.

You simply turn it on, then place your palm and/or finger on the top two electrodes holding the bottom electrode in one of three different locations of your choice.

You can place this bottom electrode on your opposite hand, the inside of your wrist, your leg, or your chest just below your heart.

This gives you multiple options on how to take the test based on what is most comfortable and convenient for you at any given time. Just like our other picks, this one takes 30 seconds to take a reading.

It then records and stores the reading in the device. You can’t connect this option to your phone, but it does come with special PC software and cable to connect the device directly to your computer.

This allows you to both transfer the information to your computer as well as charges the device. Once you have the information transferred to your PC, you can view it, print it, or e-mail it as desired.

It does produce clinical-grade EKG reports for your convenience. This EMAY portable EKG is also one of our most affordable picks making it great for anyone that wants a good home EKG but has a tighter budget.

Here is a cool little EKG monitor that is sort of somewhere between the KardiaMobile and the EMAY options. It is tiny and compact with more advanced technology like the KardiaMobile.

However, it does not require a phone for use and hooks up to the PC instead like the EMAY. So, you’ve got that sleek design and incredibly compact size, but you also don’t have to have a smartphone or use any phone at all to use your device.

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It features a nice LCD screen display that allows you to easily view your test as its occurring. The screen is even easy to view in the dark if ever needed thanks to the backlit design.

The screen is even a touchscreen for even easier use and navigation. It lets you read your results and then saves them within the device until you are able to transfer the data to the included free software on your PC.

From here, you can view the data, create PDFs, and print or e-mail the PDFs – just like with the EMAY EKG above. There are 2 ECG electrodes on this monitor.

It features one small round one on the front where you’ll actually just place your thumb. Then, there is a longer electrode on the side, which you will place against the inside of your wrist or against your leg to test.

This gives you a couple of options on what method to use for testing. The price on this one is a little higher than the EMAY EKG monitor and closer to the cost of the KardiaMobile.

It is the most conveniently designed option that you don’t use your phone with, which is where the higher cost comes in.

How to Choose the Best EKG Monitor

An EKG machine, or ECG machine, is a device used to measure electrical signals in your heart. The purpose of this is to detect and diagnose problems related to the heart.

If your doctor suspects something is going on with your heart – such as atrial fibrillation – he/she may order an EKG test. In the office or hospital setting, the test will give a one-time look at what your heart is doing in the moments when you get the test.

This can be very helpful, but more frequent monitoring can help create a better picture of what you are dealing with and help predict things like heart attack and stroke before they happen.

Fortunately, you can now get a home ECG monitor that allows you to quickly monitor and track the electrical activity in your heart.

There are certainly a variety of different ECG monitors available for home use, but each one has different features. These varying features mean that each monitor has a unique set of benefits and drawbacks.

So, different ones are best for different people according to their specific needs. To help you understand the differences, read our list of features to consider when choosing an EKG below!

This should help you be able to know exactly what to look for to find the ideal EKG monitor for you!

Portability

When it comes to these smaller home-use EKG monitors, portability can be pretty important! Most options are somewhat portable, but the exact size varies a decent amount.

Sometimes you sacrifice a smaller size for extra features, but some strictly EKG units can get pretty small.

If you really want a tiny option, you can even get one that will fit into your wallet! More compact size can also lead to a higher price, though. So, keep all features in mind and find a balance that meets your needs the best overall.

Bluetooth Compatibility

Bluetooth compatibility determines whether or not your ECG can connect to your phone. Options that are Bluetooth compatible are able to wirelessly connect to your phone and usually include a free smart app.

Apps like this let you control the These options tend to actually require your phone for use, though. So, while the smart app is great and highly convenient, they aren’t for everyone.

Sharing Methods

When it comes to this important health information, you want to have a convenient way to share it with your healthcare providers.

Depending on the specific monitor, there are different ways you can store and share the information from your readings.

Most options with Bluetooth just store the information on the phone. From there, you can usually easily e-mail the data directly to your doctor.

You could also show your doctor the results right on your phone during an appointment. With other options that don’t have Bluetooth, you will need to hook your device up to your computer to upload the information.

You can store all of it right there on the software on your computer. From the computer, you can choose to e-mail the information just like with the Bluetooth choices or you could even print it out to bring with you to give to your doctor. All of this is based strictly off of personal preference.

Number of Electrodes

Most home EKG monitors feature between 2 and 4 electrodes. Each electrode reads the electrical signals in your heart and works with the other(s) to create a clear picture of what is happening in your heart.

While an option with just 2 electrodes will certainly be able to give you an accurate idea of what is happening with your heart.

However, more electrodes do stand a chance at providing an even clearer picture. Options with more electrodes are also generally larger, though.

So, you may have to give up a more compact size for the additional electrodes. Sometimes they also raise the price, so that is something else to consider.

Display

Some EKG home monitors feature display screens while others do not. The ones that don’t have a display connect directly to your smartphone.

So, you will actually be using your phone’s display with these models. This has many benefits but also some drawbacks – you have to actually have a smartphone, be efficient with it, and you can’t use the EKG at all without the phone.

Options that don’t work with your phone have their own display and allow you to use them anywhere and anytime without even having your phone.

The size of the display can determine how easy it is to use and read. You also have some displays that are touchscreen, while most are not.

Finally, a backlit display will allow you to clearly see it even in the dark. These are all relatively minor details but can affect your experience and are still well-worth considering when finding the perfect option for you!

Multi-functional

Most portable ECG monitors are simply ECG monitors and don’t perform any other function. This is fine because an ECG monitor is exactly what you are looking for.

However, there are some options out there that perform the ECG test and can also measure your blood pressure.

These two-in-one units perform two important tests to help give you a more complete picture of your cardiovascular health. It adds value and benefits to your purchase. Just remember that these units definitely cost more and also take up more space.

Cost

Lastly, the cost can be pretty important when choosing your EKG monitor. It is always important to budget for what you can afford and make sure that what you’re spending actually matches well with your needs and desires.

The more features and benefits that a particular unit has, the more it will usually cost. Think about what you actually need, what you really want, and what your budget will allow.

Then find a good balance of these things to help you choose which EKG monitor is right for you!

FAQs on EKG Monitors

What is an EKG for?

An EKG test or monitor reads the electrical activity of your heart. It helps to diagnose problems related to the heart, with one of the most common being atrial fibrillation. It is non-invasive and painless.

Is a home or portable EKG the same as the EKG you get at the doctor?

No, home EKGs can provide you with accurate and clinical-grade results, but they will not show everything that a 12 lead EKG will. They are primarily for recognizing when atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat), tachycardia (too fast irregular heartbeat), or bradycardia (too slow irregular heartbeat) are occurring. They are helpful for home and on-the-go use, but a 12 lead EKG may still be ordered by your doctor.

What is the difference between an EKG and an ECG?

There actually is no difference between EKG and ECG. They are both the same thing. They are shorthand for the words electrocardiogram and elektro-kardiographie. The first is the English version of the word and the second is the German translation. Even though EKG is the shorthand for the German word for electrocardiogram, it is still widely used even in the United States.

Portable ECG Buyer’s Tips

A portable or home ECG can be an important tool in maintaining your health. It lets you easily keep track of important aspects of your heart health and share reports of that with your healthcare provider. This helps to improve the effectiveness of your overall care and helps provide you peace of mind.

When you choose your home ECG, remember to take into consideration things like Bluetooth compatibility, how the data your device records can be shared, and obviously your budget for the device. Hopefully, our guide and recommendations have helped you figure out which portable ECG is the right choice for you but you also need to choose where you will purchase it from.

We prefer Amazon for many purchases such as this because their selection is great, they always have the best customer service, and they tend to have excellent pricing without sacrificing product quality. Remember that shopping around is the best way to guarantee you actually get the best deal, though. Our hope is that getting your own ECG will help bring you greater peace of mind and help you and your healthcare provider to improve your overall care.

Notice:

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In March 2019 Amazon announced that Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts (HSA/FSA) would be accepted as new forms of payment for eligible product purchases. Using HSA/FSA funds to purchase on Amazon can be a great way to reduce taxes and reduce overall healthcare costs for items not covered under medical insurance. Users of such medical savings plans are issued a debit card by their provider, which can be added to their payment methods in their Amazon account.

Whether items sold on Amazon are deemed as eligible for HSA/FSA plans remains the responsibility of the buyer and their particular health plan provider. It’s ultimately up to the IRS and participating health plan providers to deem which medical and health products are considered eligible for the payment plans.

But the eligibility is quite broad and inclusive of thousands of products that are sold on Amazon and considered Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts plan-eligible. See this IRS document for more information about Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts: https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p969.pdf